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Treasurer Peter Costello yesterday mystified colleagues and handed a break to Labor leader Mark Latham when he refused to confirm whether he would be treasurer next year in a re-elected Howard Government.

Mr Costello told reporters that asking him to confirm this was a "tricky question".

His comments fuelled talk about Mr Costello taking the leadership next term.

Even some Costello supporters said privately that his remarks were unhelpful on the eve of probably the most important budget of the Howard Government.

Asked whether Mr Howard had spoken to Mr Costello about his comments, the PM's office said Mr Howard "speaks to his colleagues all the time".

Mr Latham said: "We now have got the extraordinary situation where the Treasurer can't give a commitment that he will actually be there next year for the budget or the management of the Australian economy, and we have a Prime Minister who can't give a commitment that he will serve out the next parliamentary term if he wins the federal election."

Mr Latham said that the question Mr Costello was being asked was not tricky.

"I couldn't think of a question that is less tricky or more straightforward."

The Opposition Leader said Mr Costello and Mr Howard should be "honest and open with the Australian people".

"This instability and uncertainty can't go on. It is damaging to the economy, it is damaging to Australia's national interests," he said.

"It looks like there will be a transition to prime minister Peter Costello some time in the next parliamentary term if the Coalition wins, and the Australian people deserve to know that prior to the election."

Pressed repeatedly to say whether he would be treasurer next year, Mr Costello told reporters: "You ask these tricky questions and you keep asking them so you can get tricky news leads, but the answer I give is the answer that I always give - I am focused in this budget as I have been in the last ones."

But Mr Costello repeated his line of Sunday night: "I am in (politics) for the long haul."

The fresh leadership speculation started when Mr Costello suggested in a weekend newspaper interview that he would look at his future around Christmas, and two of his supporters, senators George Brandis and Brett Mason, said people expected there would be a leadership transition in the next term of government.

There was a lot of anger yesterday directed at the two Queensland senators, who were accused by colleagues of causing an unnecessary diversion.

Sources said the PM's office did not seek them out, although Senator Brandis rang in on other matters.

Victorian David Hawker said: "Two swallows do not make a summer. When Howard wins - assuming he does - he has a right to make his own choice on whether he keeps going."